5 oils to keep your teeth strong

One essential oil a day keeps dentists away!

The thing about your teeth is that you only have one set! So if you wreck this one, you will have to pay a heavy price for it, literally. Dentists charge exorbitant amounts for root canal treatments, dental cleanups and replacements. To prevent dental decay and to promote good gum health, we will need a tad bit more than just toothbrush and toothpaste. Oral hygiene products often contain chemical antibacterial agents like Sodium Laurel Sulfate and triclosan which has carcinogenic and endocrine-disturbing properties. [1] In the face of such evidence, it is perhaps best to limit chemical teeth-cleaning systems and switch to something more natural. Here are five best essential oils you can use every day to promote your teeth and gum health!

Clove oil: Any discussion about natural ways to promote oral health is incomplete without talking about clove and clove oil. Apart from destroying oral bacteria [2], this natural analgesic [3] is a safer and faster alternative to the allopathic painkillers available in the market. However, clove oil can cause numbness in the mouth if you exceed the dosage. Just add one drop in a cup of warm water and gargle before you hit the bed.

Cinnamon oil: If you thought clove oil was the undisputed king of killing oral bacteria, you couldn t be more wrong. Studies suggest that cinnamon oil is far more effective than clove oil when it comes to inhibiting oral microbes. But like clove oil, cinnamon oil can sting if you use too much of it. Use no more than two drops in warm water for a quick gargle.

Peppermint oil: Nothing smells better than the whiff of fresh peppermint on your breath. But there is more than just the fragrance that makes peppermint oil a great choice for oral hygiene. Its powerful antimicrobial properties make it one of the best oils for dental health. [4]

Sage oil: Another essential oil that is at par with peppermint oil for dental health is sage oil. Its antibacterial action against oral conditions like gingivitis is well-known. Include it in your daily oral hygiene routine for a perfect dental health. [4]

Eucalyptus oil: Commonly known as Nilgiri oil in India, eucalyptus oil is known to inhibit carcinogenic oral bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. [5] A tiny drop to your mouthwash or your herbal toothpaste can go a long way in maintaining oral health.

Add this homemade mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine along with the essential oils.

References:

1. Lee, H. R., Hwang, K. A., Nam, K. H., Kim, H. C., & Choi, K. C. (2014). Progression of breast cancer cells was enhanced by endocrine-disrupting chemicals, triclosan and octylphenol, via an estrogen receptor-dependent signaling pathway in cellular and mouse xenograft models. Chemical research in toxicology, 27(5), 834-842.
2. Moon, S. E., Kim, H. Y., & Cha, J. D. (2011). Synergistic effect between clove oil and its major compounds and antibiotics against oral bacteria. Archives of oral biology, 56(9), 907-916.
3. Bhowmik, D., Kumar, K. S., Yadav, A., Srivastava, S., Paswan, S., & Dutta, A. S. (2012). Recent trends in Indian traditional herbs Syzygium aromaticum and its health benefits. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 1(1), 13-23.
4. Shapiro, S., Meier, A., & Guggenheim, B. (1994). The antimicrobial activity of essential oils and essential oil components towards oral bacteria. Molecular Oral Microbiology, 9(4), 202-208.
5. Nagata, H., Inagaki, Y., Tanaka, M., Ojima, M., Kataoka, K., Kuboniwa, M., ... & Shizukuishi, S. (2008). Effect of eucalyptus extract chewing gum on periodontal health: a double-masked, randomized trial. Journal of periodontology, 79(8), 1378-1385.

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